Get started with building CMS plugins
In this Framer tutorial, you will learn Get started with building CMS plugins. We explain a practical workflow, highlight the key settings that affect the result, and show how to apply the technique on real pages for cleaner UX and better site performance.
How can I start building a CMS plugin in Framer?
You can kick things off using the CMS starter plugin. Run the following command in your terminal to create a new plugin using the official CMS template: npm create framer-plugin@latest -- --starter cms This sets up a minimal but solid foundation tailored for CMS plugins, including built-in data mapping and source selection. From there, just update the data.ts file with your own data-fetching logic to connect to any external source you want.
How do I connect my own data source to a CMS plugin using the starter template?
To connect your own data source, open the ’data.ts’ file in the CMS starter plugin and scroll down to the ’getDataSource’ function. Replace the existing fetch logic with your own API call or data fetching method. This will allow you to fetch your data, set up the fields, and map your items into the format that the CMS API expects. With this change, your custom data will be synced into the CMS.
How can I customize or extend my CMS plugin after connecting my data?
Once your data source is connected, you can customize the plugin by updating the starter template’s interface and field mappings. You can tweak the source selector, add custom mapping options, or introduce new actions like sync or management buttons. The CMS starter includes all the core structures, so you can extend it with your own UI components or logic to build a plugin that fits your workflow or integrates with external platforms.
Lesson details
Mar 7, 2025
5:07